To apply "up" to cover my increased living costs?

[Lackofsleepishurting]

I've been in the same job for a few years, and 9 in total in the broad sector. I need an increase of £6000k per annum to cover my living costs.

I was thinking of doing something I've never done before (but probably people with more confidence do all the time) and apply for jobs that are above my current pay grade and experience, but that I believe I can do due to years of general work experience and individual development. I have a natural aptitude to "planning" and "changing processes". Also to "public speaking" and "training".

Would you have any advice on how to do this? Is it reasonable to think this is a good plan?

Of course. Its completely normal to apply up otherwise how do you progress your career? Ive never applied for a job that isn't a rung up.

Assuming you mean within the same sector etc

Do it. Friend just got a £20k increase and big step up by doing this. Apparently they were really struggling to recruit and she interviewed really well so they were happy to give her a shot.

Are recruitment agents helpful with this kind of thing? Or do they usually only suggest you apply for jobs on the same level?

I was considering going to a recruitment agency with my required salary and telling them that I want to "apply above my current level".

Part of the issue is I don't really know what role "above" would be suitable. I'm an administrator now with experience of doing that in education, care/support, health, and creative. All of those are low pay sectors and administrators don't get paid a lot either. I think I could do so much more as I've never really fitted in and I get bored with simple tasks.

I like project management as a thing and I've done my own projects independently. I've also redesigned training courses and delivered training. I've always got my own projects on the go outside of work (the books I'm writing, the fantasy training courses I'm developing).

Do it with confidence. Men get promoted because they apply up. Women don;t because they apply within their limits. When I learned htis I started to apply up and got the job, and better pay, pretty quickly.

Office manager?

Absolutely go for it!

What would a man do?

I'd suggest having a look at Project Co-ordinator roles - your experience sounds relevant enough and it will position you to start gaining the kind of experience you'd need to move into a Project Manager role in future.

I don't know what all men, or even most men would do, but I can tell you what I'd do: go for it.

Every significant pay rise I've ever had has come from (effectively) blagging the interview. Just enough research to be able to speak with confidence on the subject at hand, and then use the notice period from my previous role to learn everything I need to be able to get started at the new one.

Another way to look at it is...what's the worst that can happen? If you apply and don't get it, it doesn't affect the job you're currently in. You also shouldn't let it knock your confidence - if you genuinely believe that you have the ability to do the job (without looking at it optimistically), then you can go in treating the first couple of interviews as a learning experience so that you can compile a list of responses that will get you the next one.

There are two hugely important things to ask, though. At the end of an interview, ask if there were any of your answers which give them concerns, so you can have the chance to have another go at explaining. The second is, if you're rejected, ask them what it was about the interview that made you unsuitable in their eyes. Don't take it personally, just learn for the next one.

This is the natural next step, I think.

Co-ordinate for a couple or years to learn the accepted practice of project mgt which can be a bit different to managing personal projects - and be vocial and keen about wanting to progress to Proj Mgr.

I'd definitely speak to a recruiter. A few years ago I was in a similar position, £19k admin job in the public sector, transferable skills but no opportunities where I worked. I kept getting good interviews and feedback but "there was someone with slightly more experience". Tried an agency & was offered a £25k EA role with a charity within a few weeks.

My pay is on the high end of admin, if I was full time I'd be on £30k. I work 50% hours in a permanent contract. I have a child under 3... I don't want to take any salary less than what I'm currently on as there is no point. But I need to earn take home £21k, without paying for extra nursery days, if I pay extra days then I would need to earn even more, which I'm happy to do but I'd need to recalculate my desired salary.

OK, that changes things significantly! To get take-home pay of £21k when you're only working 50% hours would require a salary around £50k. £30k to £50k is quite a jump!

I always apply up. My last change of employment I was applying for all sorts just on a whim to see what stuck and got a £22k pay rise on my previous post in a similar field.

Always always apply up!

It's not that big if you frame your application properly

I'm really confused by the question, how does anyone ever progress if they just did effectively level transfers all the time?! Each job you do will be broadening your experience and thus increasing your value as an employee.

Think like a man; don't apply for a job that you can perfectly demonstrate you've done before hitting all the criteria, apply because you think (know!) you can do it!

It isn't. Especially if you've sat at the same level for years and have a lot of unpaid experience.

Think like a man as others have said. I tried that approach and it worked!

Only if you let it be.

Office manager to Operations manager for example isn't a huge change and they'd expect you to undertake some on the job learning as well especially if they take you on knowing you've stepped up.

And just to add I've only ever "applied up" I've never gone for a similar role. My last jump was £15,000, the one I'm going for at the moment would be a £20,000 jump. I know I can do the job, whether I'm the best applicant is another question, but I'm going to apply.

Good for you, but your experience is far from typical. There are few roles - particularly non-specialised ones - where you can achieve a 67% salary increase in a single move. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

Everyone should at least be trying it. If you don't try of course it won't work!